9/19/2007
Hon
Don Randall, Member for Canning, Western Australia, tabled a Citizens
Petition in the Federal Parliament seeking Australian support
for a resolution of the Sri Lankan conflict that satisfies the
aspirations of all communities without compromising the Unity
and Territorial Integrity of Sri Lanka.
The
petition signed by 1,448 certain citizens and residents of Australia
was tabled at the House of Representatives yesterday (17), requesting
the Australian Federal Parliament to proscribe the LTTE by listing
it under the Criminal Code Act of 1995, until it renounce terrorism
in word and deed.
The
petition calls for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eealm, or LTTE,
and its front organisations to be proscribed, while ensuring Australian
aid to Sri Lanka is not siphoned off by 'front- organisations'
of the terrorist outfit. It also pointed out the LTTE is not only
the biggest impediment to peace in Sri Lanka, but also a player
in global terrorism.
These
were drawn to attention referring to the ongoing investigations
into the Tamil Tiger network in Australia which recently led to
raids in Melbourne and Sydney.
Mr
Don Randall, who is a leading member of the Australia Sri Lanka
Parliamentary Friendship Group, has made a number of previous
statements in the Australian Federal Parliament supporting a peaceful
resolution of the conflict in Sri Lanka . He has consistently
condemned the campaign of terror waged by the LTTE, and blasted
those who provide covert support to the Tamil Tigers. Mr Randall's
contributions are greatly appreciated by members of the Australian
Sri Lankan community, regardless of their individual political
affiliations.
The
full texts of Mr Randall's Statement and the Petition are given
below.
I would like to bring to the attention of the House today the
fact that a petition will be tabled after question time relating
to the close links between Australia and Sri Lanka and drawing
attention to the impact of the conflict in Sri Lanka on Australian
citizens and businesses there. It also seeks support for a resolution
of the Sri Lankan conflict that satisfies the aspirations of all
communities without compromising the unity and territorial integrity
of Sri Lanka . The petition calls for the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, and its front organisations to be proscribed
under the Criminal Code Act 1995. I draw the attention of the
House to several related articles. One of these articles, which
is from last Friday, said:
Three
men on terror charges have been accused of collecting $1.9 million
in charitable donations from Australia 's expat Tamil community
and using a chunk of the funds to buy electronic and marine equipment
similar to that used in suicide bombings.
This
case is before the Magistrate's Court, so I will not say any more,
but we cannot have terror organisations operating in Australia
, collecting money for and on behalf of a terrorist organisation
in another country. We need to do something about the fact that
there are front organisations operating here. This petition will
go a long way towards addressing, in this country, the issue that
a terrorist organisation like the LTTE should not have shadow
groups here raising money for it and on its behalf for acts of
terrorism back in its homeland. I support the petition, and I
hope that other members of this House and the community will also
support this good intention.
Petetion on Sri Lanka
To The Honourable The Speaker and. Members of The House of Representatives
Assembled b in Parliament:
The
petition of certain citizens and residents of Australia draws
to the attention of the House that the two nations of Australia
and Sri Lanka share a longstanding friendship based on immigration,
trade and sport, and by membership of the Commonwealth of Nations
. Being countries located on the 'Indian Ocean Rim', they also
share strategic interests, including maritime security, prevention
of, money laundering, .anti the crackdown on global terror networks.
The
petition also draws to the attention of the House that the ongoing
conflict in Sri Lanka has a significant impact on Australians
of Sri Lankan origin, as well as on 'Australian Companies who
have invested in .Sri Lanka. Large numbers of Sri Lankan Australians
who travel to Sri Lanka on a regular basis are at great risk because
of Tamil Tiger (LTTE) terrorism, as explicitly stated in Travel
Advisories issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade.
Your
petitioners wish to point out that the LTTE is not only the biggest
impediment to peace in Sri Lanka , but is also a player in global
terrorism. It continues to use its international network to raise
material and financial support, often using deception on general
public of Australia and coercion of the Sri Lankan community.
The ongoing investigations into the Tamil Tiger network in Australia
which recently led to raids in Melbourne and Sydney, and the charging
of two persons for involvement in terrorism related activities
is a case in point.
Your
petitioners therefore request the House to:
Support a resolution of the Sri Lankan conflict that satisfies
the aspirations of all communities without compromising the Unity
and Territorial Integrity of Sri Lanka.
Assist
the people of Sri Lanka with both humanitarian and economic measures.
Ensure
that Australian Aid to Sri Lanka is not siphoned off by 'front-organisations'
of armed groups to fund campaigns of violence.
Support
measures to share defence and intelligence capabilities that are
of benefit to both Australia and Sri Lanka .
Impose
further sanctions on the LTTE by listing it under the Australian
Criminal Code Act of 1995, until it has given up terrorism in
word and deed.
Thanking
You.
By
Mr Randall (from 1,448 citizens) |